Trap-nest.



Patented Sept. 3, |90I.

on4 p, c.

E. STRETCH.

TRAP NEST.

(Application fled Feb. 21, 1901.)

(No Model.)

mz aims Pneus oo, wom-uma. Hummm' NTTnD STATES PATENT FFICE.

ELISHA STRETCH, OF EAST ORANGE, NEV JERSEY.

TRAP-NEST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,752, dated September 3, 1901.

Application Bled February 21,1901. Serial No. 48,235. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIsHA STRETCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trap-Nests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in trap-nests--that is, a hens nest-in which a hen is trapped for a limited time, allowed to escape at the end of the time tagged or numbered, so that the owner can learn which hen laid the egg, and be closed so that another hen cannot enter the nest until set again.

The main object of my invention is the provision of a trap-nest which is very simple and practical in construction and thoroughly efficient in use.

To attain the desired object, the invention consists of a trap-nest embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts substantially as disclosed herein.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the nest complete, with one side cut away to clearly show the interior thereof. Fig. 2 is a -front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device for automatically releasing the doors so they can be opened, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the tags used in connection with my invention.

Referring by numeral to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the Casin g, which is provided with the bottom having the rear exten'- sion 2. Pivoted between the sides near the rear of the casing is the nest-box 3, having the guide-platform or inclined way 4, which when in normal position assumes the position 1 shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1. After the hen lenters this way and goes beyond the pivot the next-box assumes the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1 and the pivoted wire bail 5 falls `downward to engage the bottom to act or form -a brace, so that the inclined way isheld firmly to form a closed end to the casing. The front of the casing consists of the upper strip .6, provided with the triangular opening 7, having the pins or pegs 8 in the apices thereof. Hinged to the sides and adapted to swing toward each other, but be normally held closed by the springs 9, are vthe two doors 10, each of which is provided with the hooked pins 11 near their top meeting edges. Adapted to occupy this opening, or rather close the same while the nest isset and also while the hen is laying, is the triangular block or closure 12, which rests upon the two hooked pins 11 and prevents the opening of the doors. Mounted upon the top of the casing in suitable supports is an automatic device for allowing the hen to open the doors after a stated period of time, and this device consists of the standard 13, in whose forked end is pivoted the lever 14, provided with the hooked outer end 15, to which is connected the block 12 by means of a rod 16 and carrying the receiver 17 upon the other end. Secured to one side of the casing and projecting above the top thereof is asupport18, upon which is mounted the receptacle 19 for sand, shot, or the like, said receptacle being provided with the spout 20, which is normally closed by the cork or plug 21, carrying the ring 22, which encircles the receiver and which is provided with an eye 23, to which is connected a flexible connection 24, whose lower end is connected to the eye 25, secured to a corner of the nest-box.

From this description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of my recording-nest is readily understood and its numerous advantages fully appreciated by persons who make a specialty of raising very tine and fancy stock; but brieliy stated it is as follows: The receptacle 19 is suiiciently filled with sand or the like, the block 12 being placed so as to prevent opening of the doors, and an elastic ring 26, carrying a tag 27, is placed upon the pins 8, as shown in Fig. 2. The nest-box and way are then placed as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, so as to allow a hen, who `sees the nest-egg lying in the nestbox, to walk in upon the Way past the pivot. The weight of the hen will then cause the nest-box to fall and rest upon the floor, the bail 5 having its points engage the floor to prevent the hen from getting out the way it walked in. As the nest-box falls, by means of the flexible connection 24 the plug 2l is withdrawn from the spout of the receptacle 19, which allows the sand to iiowin a stream into the receiver 17. When this receiver contains a suiiicient amount of sand, it is caused to tilt in the direction of the receiver, and thus IOO raise the block l2,which allows the triangular opening to be free. When the hen has laid, it pushes its head through said opening, and as it pushes forward the doors being pressed upon yield and allow herv to escape, she receiving the elastic ring around her neck as she escapes. The owner, who has his fowls numbered, then makes the rounds of the nests and secures the eggs, marking upon each the number of the tag taken from the pins 28, and then in the evening as he reclaims the tags he secures the proper number of the fowl which laid the egg having the tag-mark thereon. Thus it will be seen that I provide a trapnest which can be regulated so as to ,confine a hen only a short time and to automatically release the doors so that the hen can escape and be tagged at the same time she escapes and also provide a nest which must be set again before another hen can enter it and lay. In a nest of this character it has always been objectionable to imprison hens for a very long time, and by the automatic releasing device I produce a means by which the hen is only temporarily imprisoned-say, from twenty to thirty minutes, as the proper amount of sand may be placed in the receptacle to allow the doors to be opened in that time.

It is evident that I provide a very simple and practical trap-nest which is Very useful and thoroughly efficient.

I claiml. In a trap-nest, a casing, a tilting nestboX located therein and provided with a platform for closing the rear end of the casing when the box is resting upon the iioor of the casing, doors hinged to the forward end of the casing, means for locking the doors, and an automatic means for releasing said locking means so that the doors can be readily pushed open by the fowl from the inside.

2. In a trap-nest, a casing, doors for said casing, means for locking the doors of the casing, means for automatically releasing the doors of the casing, and means for tagging the hen as she escapes.

3. Inatrapnest,acasing,anest-box,hinged doors, means for locking said doors, means for automatically releasing said doors, and means for placing a tag upon the neck of a fowl as it passes out through the doors.

4. In a trap-nest, a casing, a tiltingnestboX located therein, means to brace said nestbox when the fowl is in the casing, springactuated hinged doors for the casing, means for holding the doors closed, automatic means for releasing said holding means, and means for tagging the fowl as it makes its escape through the doors.

. 5. In a trap-nest, a casing provided with an open rear end and a spring-actuated front closure, a pivoted nest box and platform mounted in the rear of the casing, said platform forming a rear Wall when the nest rests upon the bottom of the casing, and means to brace and hold said platform in a stationary position.

6. In a trap-nest, a casing, spring-actuated doors secured to the casing, means for holding the doors closed, automatic means for releasing said holding means, and means whereby a tag may be placed upon the neck of the fowl as she makes her escape from the casing.

7. In a trap-nest, a casing, a tilting nestbox located therein and provided with a platform for closing the rear end of the casing when the box is resting upon the iioor of the casing, spring-actuated doors hinged to the forward end of the casing, and means for locking the doors, means for releasing the same and means for tagging the fowl as it pushes the doors open from the inside and escapes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELISHA STRETCH.

Witnesses:

JosEPH STRETCH, WILLIAM H. CARTER. 

